Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Russia is significant, as it could help India gain access to other countries and markets, according to government sources.
PM Modi, during his visit to official visit to Moscow on July 8 and 9, will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Modi’s visit comes at the invitation of Putin for the 22nd India-Russia summit. This visit marks Modi’s first trip to Russia in nearly five years and notably his first since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. His last visit was in 2019 when he attended an economic conclave in Vladivostok, a city in Russia’s Far East.
The Kremlin’s announcement of the visit highlights the nature of the “traditionally friendly Russian-Indian relations", which the two leaders plan to further develop. Other topics include “current issues of the international and regional agenda", Russian news agency TASS reported.
HOW IT COULD BE WIN-WIN FOR BOTH INDIA, RUSSIA
According to government sources, in Modi regime, India has diversified its international relationships and trade partners, to reduce its dependence on any country. In the current scenario, Russia has been an important partner for India in areas such as defence and energy. India’s growing economic and strategic interests lie in expanding its connections with other regions.
With Russia’s cooperation, India could gain access to:
- Central Asia through the North-South Transport Corridor
- Eastern Europe and the EU through Russia’s trade agreements
- Africa, where Russia has been increasing its presence
The Indian side wants good relations with Russia and India will tap into these opportunities without being solely dependent on Russia itself, said sources. NSA Ajit Doval has also done ground work and has been continuously meeting his Russian counterpart and Putin.
Meanwhile, Russia, which is facing international sanctions and isolation, needs partners like India to maintain its global influence and economic relevance, sources added.
In this situation, Putin may need India more which could be used keeping Indian interest as top priority. India also understands Russian tension with the USA and to balance that they need India and Indian side will definitely seek Russian leverage on China to ease out the tension at LAC.
GOVT SOURCES ON KEY AREAS WHERE RUSSIAN SUPPORT MATTERS
- India’s efforts to bypass the US sanctions on Iran by signing a deal on the Port of Chabahar.
- Russia’s concerns about India’s growing defence self-sufficiency and acquisition of Western weapons and technology.
- The brain drain from Russia, which allows India to hire Russian tech personnel without oversight from the Russian government.
- The potential for Russia to offer prospective agreements to India to avoid loss of revenue and influence.
- The various geopolitical issues that will likely be discussed, including the war in Ukraine, economic concerns in Africa, and the resolution of the Gaza conflict.
Commenting on PM Modi’s visit, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday stated that India’s economic relationship with Russia has “grown tremendously" at the leadership level. He also emphasised that it presents a “great opportunity" for Modi and Putin to engage in direct dialogue.
“It is a way of taking stock of any relationship…one of the biggest changes has been, that our economic relationship with Russia has grown tremendously…at the leadership level, it will be a great opportunity for PM Modi and (Russian) President Putin to sit down and directly talk to each other," Jaishankar told news agency ANI.
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